High school football: Five things to know about Woodstock North

Five things to know about Woodstock North for the 2017 football season.

[KKoontz.com]

1. Head coach Jeff Schroeder started the program when the school opened in the fall of 2009 and is 31-45 in eight seasons with the Thunder.

[KKoontz.com]

2. North’s playoff trip last season was its third in the eight seasons is has played football. To reach the playoffs though, the Thunder had to beat Rock Falls in the regular-season finale. Lineman Trevor Stinger blocked a field goal at the end of regulation and kicker Matt Chase made an extra point in overtime for a 23-22 victory.

[KKoontz.com]

3. Collin Mergl is regarded as one of the Thunder’s best athletes in school history. He is a third-year varsity starter in football and returns to quarterback, where he started as a sophomore. And he will be a fourth-year starter in basketball.

[KKoontz.com]

4. OT-DE Dylan Martinez holds a slight lead in the senior class race for valedictorian with a 4.78 GPA. Martinez is still deciding on whether he will major in psychiatry or molecular engineering. He is interested in the University of Chicago and may play football there.